Telehealth

Also known as telemedicine, this area of care helps connect doctors and patients remotely, without requiring in-person visits. This virtual care strategy is beneficial for managing chronic conditions, delivering lab test or diagnostic imaging results, post-surgical follow-ups, assessing skin conditions, online counseling and many other healthcare services. It also can improve care, care access and outcomes for patients.

UnitedHealth agrees to $1.8M settlement over robocall complaint
The unwanted spam calls were associated with Optum's home healthcare service. Plaintiffs alleged they received the marketing calls despite opting out and never signing up, in violation of federal consumer protection laws. The company does not admit to wrongdoing.
Creating real-time telebreast imaging that includes remote patient consults
Arlene Sussman, MD, medical director with vRad, explains a telebreast imaging system that allows patients direct video consults with a remote radiologist just after their exams to increase personalized care and answer questions immediately.
Amazon One Medical employees viewed health data of man in wrongful death case
One Medical, a chain of primary care clinics owned by Amazon, is being sued by the family of a man who died due to alleged provider negligence. Now, court filings reveal staff improperly accessed the deceased man's protected medical records.
Doctor gets prison time, $20M fine for fraudulent telehealth prescriptions
John R. Manning, MD, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit healthcare fraud for issuing unnecessary prescriptions billed to Medicare and receiving more than $812,000 in kickbacks.
Q&A: Rising cancer rates in young people exacerbated by provider shortage
In exclusive interviews, HealthExec spoke with the American Cancer Society about rising cancer rates, and a virtual provider service that's working to bolster struggling oncology staff.

Phoning it in: Telehealth costs $110 less than a primary care visit

Virtual health visits cost $110 less than conventional primary care appointments, while also reducing patient wait times and helping address the nursing shortage, according to CNBC.

Avizia, Regroup partner expand telehealth-related behavioral services

Telehealth provider Avizia and Regroup, an integrated telepsychiatry company, have partnered to expand the quality and reach of virtual behavioral healthcare services.

30% of patients who used telehealth receive in-person care within a year

A study conducted by Zipnosis and Washington-based MultiCare Health System showed healthcare organizations could increase patient acquisition by using virtual care.

TeleHealth Services launches virtual assist to address nurse shortages

TeleHealth Services has announced the launch of iCare Navigator, an interactive patient engagement system that uses virtual health coaches trained by artificial intelligence (AI) to address the shortage of nurses.

Telehealth can reach underserved populations—including those in prison

Telehealth can connect providers with patients who face significant barriers to care—including those in correctional facilities.

American Well launches new telehealth app for providers

American Well has launched a new comprehensive telehealth system for providers who offer video visits.

Philips, American Well partner to offer pediatric telehealth

American Well and Philips have partnered to offer new parents 24/7 telehealth coverage for their babies through the Philips Avent uGrow application.

Telehealth brought healthcare to patients affected by Hurricanes Harvey, Irma

The utilization of telehealth during the 2017 hurricane season showcased the reach and importance of remote healthcare services, according to a study published April 24 in the Journal of General Internal Medicine.

Telehealth

UnitedHealth agrees to $1.8M settlement over robocall complaint

Creating real-time telebreast imaging that includes remote patient consults

Amazon One Medical employees viewed health data of man in wrongful death case

Doctor gets prison time, $20M fine for fraudulent telehealth prescriptions

Q&A: Rising cancer rates in young people exacerbated by provider shortage